Volunteers from The Retreat at Harbor Pointe clean up debris along the restored shore of this former brownfields, now an apartment complex on the Eastern Branch. (Courtesy of Elizabeth River Project)
This new low-income apartment complex in Norfolk is EarthCraft certified, which recognizes sustainability and green building goals. Last October, residents and staff collected 2,700 pounds of debris from the shoreline. The Retreat built an elevated walkway over the constructed wetlands for the public to enjoy. During improvement of the former brownfield site, the developer voluntarily installed 28 “oyster castles” and native wetland grasses.